Insider reveals an extra layer of complication in possible Leafs/Flames deal
All eyes are on the Toronto Maple Leafs when it comes to Nikita Zadorov and Brandon Tanev of the Calgary Flames, who are off to a troubling start in 2023-24 and are contemplating some major changes.
The Leafs have been looking to overhaul their blueline since the summer, but simply couldn't accomplish what they wanted to before the start of the season. Now that the Leafs have played 15 games (playing their 16th today against Detroit in Stockholm, Sweden as we speak), it has become apparent that changes are indeed needed on the blueline for the Leafs before they can be considered true contenders.
When Zadorov had requested a trade last week and mentioned that he'd welcome a move to Toronto, it may have expedited talks between the Leafs and Flames. However, just because trade talks have intensified, it doesn't mean that a deal is anywhere close to done.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek touched on the Leafs/Flames talks on the most recent edition of their 32 Thoughts podcast, with Friedman suggesting that the Leafs could, perhaps, end up acquiring one or both of Zadorov/Tanev for less than some are anticipating. Conversely, he also suggested that there's a possibility that the Flames could grant the Leafs permission to negotiate a new deal with either player prior to a trade, which would net Calgary a better return.
"Maybe you try to squeeze the juice out of Toronto a bit more, but if they're making you an offer that can really help you, then I think you take the deal.
I think they would want one of Toronto's really good, young forwards... a guy like Tanev or a guy like Zadorov, they're going to want to re-sign those guys if they trade for them. So either you give them permission [to negotiate a contract] during the season to see if they can do it, or is Calgary going to look at these teams warily and say 'we're going to ask more, because we think they're going to re-sign there'. So I've heard in those two cases, that's an interesting part of what Calgary is thinking.
If you look at a trade for a Zadorov or a trade for a Tanev, you're not getting a top prospect for a rental. If you go through all of these trades, it doesn't really happen like this anymore unless someone else really drives up the price. But, if you're willing to give permission to re-sign or if you think they're going to re-sign... then you know you're probably gambling a little bit more."
I think they would want one of Toronto's really good, young forwards... a guy like Tanev or a guy like Zadorov, they're going to want to re-sign those guys if they trade for them. So either you give them permission [to negotiate a contract] during the season to see if they can do it, or is Calgary going to look at these teams warily and say 'we're going to ask more, because we think they're going to re-sign there'. So I've heard in those two cases, that's an interesting part of what Calgary is thinking.
If you look at a trade for a Zadorov or a trade for a Tanev, you're not getting a top prospect for a rental. If you go through all of these trades, it doesn't really happen like this anymore unless someone else really drives up the price. But, if you're willing to give permission to re-sign or if you think they're going to re-sign... then you know you're probably gambling a little bit more."
Friedman and Marek cautioned that this is very much a mutli-team situation and that there are certainly other suitors for these guys other than just the Leafs, so there's certainly no guarantee that either of these players lands in Toronto. However, there's no question that the Leafs are among the early favourites here.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 17 | 353 ANSWERS Insider reveals an extra layer of complication in possible Leafs/Flames deal If you were the Leafs, would you rather bring in Zadorov with an extension or Tanev with an extension? | ||
| Zadorov | 147 | 41.6 % |
| Tanev | 68 | 19.3 % |
| Both | 105 | 29.7 % |
| Neither | 33 | 9.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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